“The decomposition of food and other waste under anaerobic
(without oxygen) conditions in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas
(GHG) 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Landfills are the largest
human-related source of methane in the United States, accounting for 34 percent of all
methane emissions. Recovery (i.e. food donations) and recycling (i.e.,
composting) diverts organic materials from landfills and incinerators, thereby
reducing GHG emissions from landfills and waste combustion.”

Meanwhile, food leftovers are the single largest component
of the waste stream by weight in the United States. Americans throw away more than 25
percent of the food we prepare. We throw away 96 billion pounds of food a year.

The most important method of reducing food-scrap associated
greenhouse gases, therefore, is to waste less food (see the diagram above for
the EPA’s food waste recovery hierarchy). Here in No Impact land, we waste less
food by cooking less, saving leftovers for later, and eating food before it
goes bad (not particularly complicated or high tech). Scraps and rinds go to
the worms.

But if you’re not into the slimies, there are plenty of food
waste recovery (i.e. food donation through organizations like Second Harvest) and recycling programs
(i.e. composting and feeding to animals which you can find by contacting your
city government or local environmental organization) to participate in all over
the United States. Several local governments provide curbside collection of
homeowner food waste for composting at municipal facilities.

PS If you're enjoying this blog, please let more readers know about it by
linking to it on your own blog or using the links below to email it around, favorite it on Technorati,
Dig it, list it on del.icio.us or Stumble it. Thanks!

----------

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“The decomposition of food and other waste under anaerobic
(without oxygen) conditions in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas
(GHG) 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Landfills are the largest
human-related source of methane in the United States, accounting for 34 percent of all
methane emissions. Recovery (i.e. food donations) and recycling (i.e.,
composting) diverts organic materials from landfills and incinerators, thereby
reducing GHG emissions from landfills and waste combustion.”

Meanwhile, food leftovers are the single largest component
of the waste stream by weight in the United States. Americans throw away more than 25
percent of the food we prepare. We throw away 96 billion pounds of food a year.

The most important method of reducing food-scrap associated
greenhouse gases, therefore, is to waste less food (see the diagram above for
the EPA’s food waste recovery hierarchy). Here in No Impact land, we waste less
food by cooking less, saving leftovers for later, and eating food before it
goes bad (not particularly complicated or high tech). Scraps and rinds go to
the worms.

But if you’re not into the slimies, there are plenty of food
waste recovery (i.e. food donation through organizations like Second Harvest) and recycling programs
(i.e. composting and feeding to animals which you can find by contacting your
city government or local environmental organization) to participate in all over
the United States. Several local governments provide curbside collection of
homeowner food waste for composting at municipal facilities.

PS If you're enjoying this blog, please let more readers know about it by
linking to it on your own blog or using the links below to email it around, favorite it on Technorati,
Dig it, list it on del.icio.us or Stumble it. Thanks!